• Bauer Dredging Co. of Port Lavaca, Texas was awarded a $2 million contract to deepen the ship channel from 30 to 34 feet.

• Sheriff candidate Reace A. Thompson was the first to qualify for the Democratic primary.

• Republican Jay McGlon qualified as a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, District 4, which included Monroe County.

• In a ceremony in Tavernier, the National Park Service named three keys in the Everglades the "Bob Allen Keys" for Allen's work with the Audubon Society.

• Master Chief Boilerman David C. Post reported for duty aboard the USS Sarsfield -- again. He had served on the ship when it was first commissioned in 1945, and ultimately spent 11 of his 18 years of naval service stationed aboard the Sarsfield.